On Saturday my Aunt Sheila invited the ladies of the family over for a holiday cookie swap party. We all brought 3 dozen of a home baked treat, and we all left with several varieties.  It was such a nice way to spend a sunny afternoon.  I wish we could all get together more often, but life and traffic and distance get in the way.

While the cookies were sweet, the two new babies in the family were sweeter. We all wanted to ohh and ahh over their irresistible cuteness!

All the cookies were so colorful and cheerful.  It was hard to not welcome the Christmas spirit.

The cookies were beautiful, but the real hit at the party were the little tea sandwiches Sheila made.  Everyone’s favorite were the ones with Pecan-Olive filling.  Sounds crazy, I know, but oh they were so delicious in a delightfully domestic Midwestern kind of way.  The recipe came from an old newspaper clipping Sheila had in her files.  Wish I knew where to attribute it!

Pecan Olive Sandwich Filling

8 oz cream cheese

1/2 cup mayonaise

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1 cup drained olives with pimento

2 tablespoons olive juice

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Combine all ingredients in a food processor and pulse to mix thoroughly.  Pack into a bowl, cover and refrigerate overnight.

Serve as a dip, or spread onto bread and serve as sandwiches.